Spring Porch + Curly Willow Wreath

By Kate Riley • March 26, 2012

Hey everyone, thanks for all the thoughtful comments on the purpose filled home post, I’ve read every one, I really appreciate your fantastic insight! I finally got that patch of sun I was waiting for all weekend long, so I was able to get my hands dirty with some new plantings for the front porch.

I replaced the dying Italian cypress with these pretty blue Potato Bush topiary trees and some ‘Glamorama’ pansies. Out of storage came the outdoor medallion pillows I’ve had for two summer seasons (found at a local garden department). The striped ones are these Esther pillows found on sale at Joss & Main.

Other porch plantings include Stock, Azalea, trailing Calibrachoa, and blue Senetti. The peacock blue and bright green pots are from last year’s summer outdoor table.

I made a quick wreath for the front door – I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, I didn’t want anything too bulky, but I remembered a friend of mine has a huge curly willow tree so she clipped some branches at my request and I made a natural wreath out of them with some supplies on hand. Cheap and easy!

First take an ordinary wire hanger and make it round like I did with these fresh rosemary wreaths. Then using floral wire, twist a few of the larger branches around the wire form and secure them with floral wire – leave a little room to fit a few more branches inside then clip away any excess wire.

Weave smaller branches in and out of the larger branches secured with floral wire to form an organic shape.

Leave all the tendrils flowing and natural . . .

. . . or embellish with ribbon and tuck in some faux Easter eggs to welcome spring.

How pretty! Are the potato bushes pretty shade tolerant? I have 2 urns I’ve been wanting to fill with topiaries or standards to flank my North-facing french doors and something with color would be a bonus. The “North-facing” part of the equation is holding me up. Pretty much zero direct sunlight. Love your blog, btw! I’m your neighbor over in Vacaville :0).

Hi Kaylyn, we have those Potato Bushes in our front (northeast facing) and back (west facing) garages. They like a little sun but not too much – our porch does get morning sunlight so I *hope* they’re happy there.
Kate

I love when your super great posts have lots of links to older posts! Like the paint post a while back. You have sooo many great posts I don’t normally find while looking around your blog. I am so excited to try the willow wreath, Simple inexpensive and beautiful. Really enjoyed seeing some of your past wreaths following the links AND the garden ideas party. Do you do this every year? So cool. Pretty please do one this year!

Love this!!! I’m always green with envy when it comes to your front porch. It looks so classy yet inviting! I love everything you did – the plantings, the colors, the PILLOWS and the wreath!! All adorable!!

What great photos … Kate sometimes when I read ur posts I feel like I am flipping through a gorgeous magazine!!!!! :) I have been reading and not commenting so aiming to change that! With the door wreath, I LOVE the added touch of the eggs to it.

Kate I love the blue Potato Bush topiary. They look similar to Petunia’s which I love. I wonder if these grow in New York too. I would love these on my front stoop. I love purple. Great combination. :) Love the wreath too. Now I want to dig in the dirt and have pretty flowers on my front stoop. Hopefully our weather will become a little more consistant, but today we have winter coats on. The other day it was 70. Thanks for bringing your Spring to my screen. I’ll just look at your pretties until I have my own pretties. ;)

A lovely post to brighten up this rainy day we’re having today! Your porch looks beautiful, Kate. Such a nice touch of spring and gorgeous colors together. I’m praying for a dry day so I can get out into the garden. I got a little done last week!

Kate…this is so beautiful! I really love how you spray painted the big urn white, that really shows off the pansies. Mine is painted black, and it does’t show the plants as well. This looks really nice, I would almost think I was looking at a porch in South Carolina!!! Everything looks great as always!
Much love
Tilara

I love how your porch looks! It is fab-U-lous! I wanted to let you know that I linked up to your furniture painting tutorial in my post today! You did such a good job on that subject that I figured why even try to compare. If you want to check out the post you can find it at:http://www.acommonerscastle.com/2012/03/making-your-house-home-paint.html
YAY for Spring!

Hi there,
Quick question, I love the natural looking carpet on your front porch. Ours is similar, with urns on other side of the door. What happens to the rug when the pots drain their water? Is the rug new? Anyway, it looks great!

I love curly willow – it is so interesting with its twist and intricate branches. You’re so creative and I just adore the idea of the eggs and ribbon for a change up. I have to get some curly willow and get this made. Thanks for sharing.

Hello, I'm Kate! I'm a renovator, decorator, and do-it-yourselfer who writes about great interior design and home improvement. Welcome to the place where I share my advice and adventures in decorating and DIY projects! Learn more.